Britain's Vodafone Group, the world's largest mobile phone carrier, said on Tuesday it had appointed Gavin Darby as UK chief operating officer with effect from 1 April.

Darby joins the telecoms company from Coca-Cola, where has worked since 1984.

"(Darby's) experience in managing a world class brand in highly competitve markets will be particularly valuable as we continue to build upon our number one position in the UK," Chief Executive Chris Gent said in a statement.